Charles Henderson’s volleyball season came to a disappointing end Tuesday, as the Trojans were eliminated in the first round of the area tournament in Rehobeth.

The Trojans’ season came to an end at the hands of the Eufaula Tigers, who won the first-round match up 3-1 by scores of 25-22, 16-25, 25-16 and 25-19.

Head coach Jennifer Sikes said the team fell behind early, and was never able to recover.

“I really think that the girls knew today was for all the marbles,” Sikes said.

“I think they were nervous, and that caused us to come out a little sluggish.”

However, Sikes said she saw a glimpse of what propelled the Trojans to their first 10-win season in over five years.

“That second game, we played like the team we were back before we took the break for testing,” Sikes said. “We put everything together, and just executed really well.”

Sikes also said she was proud of the resilience the team showed in the fourth game of the match, and final game of its season.

“We really did do a good job of battling back,” Sikes said.

“In that fourth game, we were down by six early on, but we were able to battle back and tie it up. They would get up, and we would tie it, and it went like that for a while.”

In the end, it was the Trojans’ minds, rather than their bodies, that Sikes blamed for the loss.

“We just had too many mental errors,” Sikes said. “Really, this loss was all about mental errors and nerves, I thought.”

For the CHHS seniors, the match was their final one, a fact that was not lost on one of the Trojans in particular.

“Nick Jones’ shoulder was hurting her today,” Sikes said. “But, she did an excellent job of battling through the pain. She didn’t want to come out because she was afraid it would be her last game.”

Jones finished with 11 points and three aces, including eight points in the second game.

Sikes said the loss was one that was tough, especially because it meant she had coached some of the Trojans for the final time.

“Honestly, it was a real emotional thing,” Sikes said. “Taylor Smartt has been my starting setter since she was in eighth grade. Nick (Jones) has really come on strong this year, and played very well. They’re both two really great girls that I hate to lose.”

The Trojans finished 12-6 overall and 3-4 in region play.